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But dwindling intake numbers began to put it at risk, and the council at the time talked of closing either Parkside Community Technology College - as it was then called - or Stoke Damerel Community College.

Despite petitions by pupils and parents, Parkside - by then a "specialist technology, business and enterprise college" ended up being for the axe.

By the time of its closure, in July 2008, it had only 175 pupils - four to every staff member - and fewer than one in five catchment area parents send their children to the school.

Pupil numbers had fallen by 42 per cent in five years leading up to its closure, and were projected to fall by a further 28 per cent over the following five.

Two students in a science lesson in September 2002. But do you remember their names? (Image: Lucy Duval)

The late and much-loved Simon Adams, who was then assistant principal, pictured with Seanaugh Parks, George Stalley, Chris Radmore, Chris Tucker and youth worker Leonia Prentice in August 2008 (Image: John Allen)

Sam Rigbey, aged 14, works on the new electronic whiteboard in September 2000 (Image: Lucy Davies)

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Curtis Evans, 11, Nick Vosper, 12, and Harry Hook, also 12, with Albion player Tom Barlow in November 2003 (Image: John Allen)

Headteacher Valena Jones pictured in January 2004 (Image: Lucy Duval)

Rugby at Parkside. Who is in this photo and why? (Image: File image)

Children take up cycling in July 2005 thanks to staff at the FaBB Exerecise Centre in Stoke. (Image: Trevor Gliddon)

Pupils Leah Lennox and Tanya Prowse with Gemma Mortimore , Roxanne Styles and Lucy Parminter. They are pictured in the workshops of Plymouth College of Further Education learning about engineering in January 2006. (Image: Paul Slater)

Peter Elmes shows Stacey Cox and Nicola O'Brien, both 14, how to lay bricks at the CFE women in construction open day in October 2003 (Image: Sean Hernon)

Laura Martin admires the work of Year 11 pupils Holly Gaynn at the art festival in May 2004 (Image: Paul Slater)

Lorrain Ham gets a closer look at work by Roxanne Seymour, from Year 11, at the May 2004 art festival (Image: Paul Slater)

Students Suzie Lee-Hart and Toby Nolan with Plymouth Albion legend Graham Dawe for the Let's Build It campaign in May 2006 (Image: Trevor Gliddon)

Fitness Information Event held at Parkside Community Technology College in 2005. Pictured is Sam Dyer, aged 13, trying his hand at boxing. (Image: Paul Slater)

One of the founding pupils, Philip Head, with his granddaughter Amarnie Crabtree, who was a Year 7 pupil at the time of the reunion party in July 2008, looking back at old photos with founding teacher Brian Edwards (Image: Lucy Davies)

World Wide Wednesday with Lia Taylor and Charlie Saward taking part in Indian Dance, October 2006 (Image: Trevor Gliddon)